Engineering has long been a driver of progress, shaping the infrastructure that supports modern life. However, this progress does not come without environmental consequences. The construction and engineering industry contributes to 39% of global CO₂ emissions and plays a role in habitat loss, water pollution, and ecosystem fragmentation.
Yet, the field of engineering is evolving, with firms like BFW/Marcum leading the way in sustainable design, regulatory compliance, and conservation-focused engineering. Through careful environmental assessments, innovative technologies, and adherence to regulations like the Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act, engineers and environmental scientists are working together to ensure that infrastructure development protects, rather than harms, natural ecosystems.
The Intersection of Engineering and Ecology
Engineering and environmental science might seem like separate disciplines, but in practice, they are deeply interconnected. At BFW/Marcum, environmental scientists like Laura Darnell, a Wetlands Scientist and Ecologist, and Leigh Ann Liddell, an Environmental Project Manager, play a crucial role in project planning, ensuring that infrastructure projects are designed with sustainability in mind.
One of the most significant challenges in infrastructure development is balancing the needs of human expansion with the conservation of endangered species and critical habitats.
Identifying and Protecting Endangered Species
Understanding whether a species is endangered in a project area is the first step in responsible engineering. According to Leigh Ann Liddell, the process begins with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Information for Planning and Conservation (IPaC) database.
“The IPaC database is interactive in that one can upload or draw in the boundary of the project site, and the database will provide a report of the listed species that are known to occur in that area,” explains Liddell.
Once a potential habitat for an endangered species is identified, site visits help determine whether that habitat is suitable for protected species. If so, engineers must implement mitigation or avoidance measures.
“For listed bat species, mitigation may consist of contributing funds to Kentucky’s Imperiled Bat Conservation Fund (IBCF) to offset the loss of habitat and/or performing land clearing and construction activities during certain time frames when the species is in hibernation,” says Liddell.
In some cases, direct surveys are required. “If suitable habitat is found for a plant species, for example, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) may require a survey, which is usually conducted during the flowering season. If no species are found, then no special protection measures are required. However, if a species is found, we enter into consultations with the USFWS to determine the next steps.”
The Role of Regulations in Sustainable Engineering
Federal environmental regulations, particularly the Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act (ESA), play a fundamental role in shaping infrastructure projects. These regulations not only prevent ecological damage but also streamline development by providing a framework for compliance.
“The Clean Water Act protects ‘Waters of the United States,’ which generally means streams, wetlands, and ponds that have a defined connection to downstream waters,” says Laura Darnell. “If a project impacts these areas, permits must be obtained at the federal and state levels.”
Darnell points out that projects affecting significant wetland or stream areas often require mitigation payments, which fund the restoration of streams and water quality in preserved areas.
“This means that when jurisdictional wetlands and streams are present on a site, the cost for mitigation can vary widely depending on how much wetland and stream area is impacted,” she explains. “Delineating these features early in the project allows engineers to design infrastructure in a way that minimizes these costs and protects the environment.”
Emerging Technologies in Environmental Engineering
Technological advancements are making it easier for engineers and environmental scientists to balance infrastructure development with conservation efforts. One such technology is Geographic Information Systems (GIS), which allows professionals to overlay environmental data onto project maps.
“GIS capabilities are very useful in project planning because we can overlay a variety of environmental map layers over the project location and identify places where protected environmental resources are likely to be,” says Darnell.
GIS mapping includes:
✔ Topographic and geology maps to analyze land composition
✔ Wetland inventory maps to pinpoint possible locations of wetlands and streams
✔ Floodplain and hydrology models to assess water impact
✔ Listed species habitat data to determine potential habitat on a project site
“When all these are put together, it helps us identify areas of a project site that provide higher levels of function for wildlife habitat or ecosystem services,” she says. “Then this information can be incorporated into the project design.”
Environmental Due Diligence: A Critical First Step
For engineering firms, incorporating environmental assessments early in project planning is key to avoiding costly setbacks. Leigh Ann Liddell emphasizes that BFW/Marcum’s integrated environmental approach prevents unnecessary delays, fines, and project redesigns.
“It is crucial to the success and efficiency of a proposed project to get the Environmental Team onboard at the inception of a project,” Liddell explains. “This ensures that areas requiring environmental regulatory oversight are identified before any land disturbance begins.”
Liddell recalls previous experiences in environmental consulting, where firms were often called in after site plans were finalized—only to find wetlands, streams, and/or endangered species habitats within the footprint of the development.
“Putting the horse before the cart, so to speak, leads to costly redesigns, project stalls, and in some cases, projects being deemed infeasible,” she says. “BFW/Marcum is unique because we are an environmental department within an engineering firm, which leads to a streamlined and efficient project design process.”
A Future of Sustainable Engineering
With increasing awareness of climate change, habitat preservation, and environmental responsibility, engineering firms must adopt a forward-thinking approach to sustainability. Firms like BFW/Marcum demonstrate that infrastructure and environmental stewardship are not mutually exclusive but can complement each other when science and engineering work hand in hand.
By integrating environmental regulations, advanced technologies, and conservation strategies into their engineering processes, BFW/Marcum is proving that the future of infrastructure is not just about building—it’s about building responsibly.
Through thoughtful design, collaboration with regulatory agencies, and a commitment to early environmental assessment, the firm is setting an example for how engineering can shape a world that thrives alongside nature rather than at its expense.
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